gustav Posted May 18, 2017 Report Share Posted May 18, 2017 I have recently acquired two double barrelled percussion guns.Unlike single barreled guns which I have owned in the past they do not have screw in breech plugs. I would like to remove the breeches to inspect and clean the bores but I cannot see how this can be done. Can anyone advise me please? Many thanks to anyone who can help. Regards, Gustav. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted May 18, 2017 Report Share Posted May 18, 2017 Is the breech piece not in two pieces which separate by unscrewing each plug in sequence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted May 18, 2017 Report Share Posted May 18, 2017 (edited) If the gun is original with Damascus barrels my strong advice is leave it be because you can cause a lot of damge to the barrels the bores can be lapped out without removing the plugs all you need is a tool for lapping and cleaning the bore used in a electric drill and a bore torch . Before doing any work on the barrels always make sure they are not loaded by inserting a cleaning rod down the bore and then measure the same distance down the outside of the barrels . I have worked on many percussion original barrels that have still had a charge left in the barrel although the charge may have been there for a 100years it can still ignite the only time that I remove the breech plugs is if the ribs have lifted and rust has accumulated under the rib then I separated the barrels to inspect the barrels that have the rust on them . I apply heat to the plug till oil emerges from the join then using a special made tool unscrew the plug the barrel should be securely fasted in a vice with lead insert jaws. Enclosed is a couple of images of the tools that I use to lap and clean the bore and a special made key that is used on the hook to unscrew the plug Feltwad Tool for removing the breech plug Lapping tool head Lapping and cleaning Tool Edited May 18, 2017 by Feltwad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted May 19, 2017 Report Share Posted May 19, 2017 Enclose is a image of a pair of stripped original percussion barrels showing the ribs and ramrod pipes and also the screw detached plugs Feltwad Barrels showing the detached plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gustav Posted May 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Thank you for both for taking the trouble to respond to my query. It's great the way that the pigeon watch community support each other. Thanks to photos provided by feltwad, I believe that I now understand the sequence of construction. It seems that the breech plugs are inserted into each tube before the tubes are soldered together. So cannot be removed until the tubes are separated [certainly something I'm not about to attempt]. With regard to the lapping tool is this something that can be purchased or was it a one-off made by yourself? Grateful thanks and best regards, Gustav. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 The lapping / polishing tool illustrated is more than likely by Flex Hone in the USA. They do fine/medium & coarse versions for various bore & chamber sizes. I got mine from Brownells in the US but I believe there is now a UK firm who does an identical tool. You could try Brownells UK, but their prices always seem to be eye wateringly high. Try Googling Flex Hone & you will get a load of sites & advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 The lapping tool that I entered is one I made myself ,the head is fastened inside the rod by a couple of allan screws, this tool will clean out all the dirt and surface rust and also small pits and scratches the have accumulated over the years , it also polished the bore but it will not remove deep pits that is a job for a lapping cutting tool. Feltwad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Pacehigh is the UK importer/distribute for flexhone. https://www.pacehigh.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=6767 Can also find brush heads for your unusual sized muzzle loaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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